Government's role in prosperity

A recent letter writer excoriated the American Legislative Exchange Council by claiming that, "…ALEC has stood for, and continues to stand for, [laws] that go against the interests of many Mississippi state residents," ("Economic ranking article deceitful," June 15).

Well, if the writer thinks that ALEC's self-stated aim of promoting the "Jeffersonian principles of free markets, limited government, federalism, and individual liberty" goes against many Mississippians interests, then so be it; she is entitled to her opinion.

On the other hand, to quote speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives Philip Gunn, "Government cannot create prosperity; government can only help create an environment where people can succeed."

No matter how necessary a government service may be (police, or the courts, or the military, for example), they do not add directly to economic prosperity. This can only come from private profit-making enterprises that turn people's savings into growth.

Until we develop an electorate that understands this, our rate of economic expansion will continue to be outstripped by those who do.

Noel Funchess

Cleveland

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Government's role in prosperity

A recent letter writer excoriated the American Legislative Exchange Council by claiming that, 'ALEC has stood for, and continues to stand for, [laws] that go against the interests of many Mississippi